Pompeii....city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79

Tourists browse parts of Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79, in Pompeii, Italy, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii, as the country's most visited archaeological site crumbles under the stress of vandals, thieves, garbage and unauthorized souvenir vendors.

Crowds of tourists stand at the forum, part of the city of Pompeii destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79, in Pompeii, Italy, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii, as the country's most visited archaeological site crumbles under the stress of vandals, thieves, garbage and unauthorized souvenir vendors.


A locked gate blocks access to parts of Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79, in Pompeii, Italy, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii, as the country's most visited archaeological site crumbles under the stress of vandals, thieves, garbage and unauthorized souvenir vendors.

A tourist takes a picture in the small fountain house, part of Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79, in Pompeii, Italy, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii, as the country's most visited archaeological site crumbles under the stress of vandals, thieves, garbage and unauthorized souvenir vendors.



A tourist takes a picture in the small fountain house, part of Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79, in Pompeii, Italy, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii, as the country's most visited archaeological site crumbles under the stress of vandals, thieves, garbage and unauthorized souvenir vendors.

Tourists browse a souvenir stall outside the walls of Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79, in Pompeii, Italy, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii, as the country's most visited archaeological site crumbles under the stress of vandals, thieves, garbage and unauthorized souvenir vendors.

Tourists walk through Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79, in Pompeii, Italy, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii, as the country's most visited archaeological site crumbles under the stress of vandals, thieves, garbage and unauthorized souvenir vendors.

Tourists walk through Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79, in Pompeii, Italy, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii, as the country's most visited archaeological site crumbles under the stress of vandals, thieves, garbage and unauthorized souvenir vendors.

A partially torn screen sits in place to protect parts of Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79, in Pompeii, Italy, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii, as the country's most visited archaeological site crumbles under the stress of vandals, thieves, garbage and unauthorized souvenir vendors.

Abandoned drink cans lie on the ground in Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79, in Pompeii, Italy, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii, as the country's most visited archaeological site crumbles under the stress of vandals, thieves, garbage and unauthorized souvenir vendors.

Debris and garbage lay in the ruins of Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79, in Pompeii, Italy, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii, as the country's most visited archaeological site crumbles under the stress of vandals, thieves, garbage and unauthorized souvenir vendors.